Causes of European Explorations

Earlier Explorations

1. New Player EuropeExpansion and exploration becomes important to the Kings of Europe (wanted more money!)Better seaworthy ships.

Motives for European Exploration

1. European countries seeking new sources of money.

2. Technological advances.3. Fame and fortune.

New Maritime Technologies

Hartman Astrolabe

(1532)

Better Maps [Portulan]

Sextant

Mariner’s Compass

New Weapons Technology

European trade routes

A Map of the Known World, pre- 1492

• Become a world power through gaining wealth and land. (GLORY)

• Search for new trade routes with direct access to Asian/African luxury goods would enrich individuals and their nations (GOLD)

• Spread Christianity and weaken Middle Eastern Muslims. (GOD)

The 3 motives reinforce each other

Direct Causes = 3 G’s of

Exploration

EFFECTS• Europeans reach and settle Americas

• Expanded knowledge of world geography• Growth of trade

• Indian conflicts over land and impact of disease on Indian populations

• Introduction of the institution of slavery• Columbian Exchange

EFFECTS• Mercantilism- Economic system were strongest

countries had the most money or gold.• All powerful contries are desperately trying to

find more gold

* Squash * Avocado * Peppers * Sweet Potatoes* Turkey * Pumpkin * Tobacco * Quinine* Cocoa * Pineapple * Cassava * POTATO* Peanut * Tomato * Vanilla * MAIZE * Syphillis

* Olive * Coffee Beans * Banana * Rice* Onion * Turnip * Honeybee * Barley* Grape * Peach * Sugar Cane * Oats* Citrus Fruits * Pear * Wheat * HORSE* Cattle * Sheep * Pig * Smallpox* Flu * Typhus * Measles * Malaria* Diptheria * Whooping Cough

Columbian Exchange or the transfer of goods involved 3 continents, Americas, Europe and Africa